When should you have your hospital bag ready???

[fifisworld]

Ive been starting to think about what i need to have for my hospital bag and wondered when this should be packed?
Also how early should i have the baby things washed and ready?
I left this fairly late when i was pg last time but now im off work for a few weeks and have started my 'nesting'
Im 26 weeks

[toadstool]

I organized most of my hospital stuff around week 30, then forgot about it until week 37, when I got the baby things orgnaized. It felt good to have it full and ready to roll in case of emergencies. Baby clothes were out of the loft, sorted and washed around week 35 (the only reason being a rare moment of good weather)!

[MerlinsBeard]

With DS1 i got it ready at about 29 weeks when i left work. It was repacked lots of times though!

With ds2 i thought about it a lot but didn't get round to it until about 38 weeks!

[flosspot]

The sooner the better, but by 36 weeks in any case. i have several friends who went into early labour and put off going to the hospital until they were packed!!!

[MrsBadger]

now you're off work just do it and then it's done - it'll take longer than you think, esp as you'll keep remembering things you've forgotten and have to put them on next week's tesco list

[bagpuss]

I think I had a bag packed for about 36 weeks with all three of mine. I got other things ready bit by bit though and started getting things out of the loft and washed a bit earlier than that as I didn't want mountains of washing to do at once!

[fifisworld]

Thanks, ive started buying nappies,wipes etc to put in and i was going to go and do a shop for my 'big knickers' and pj's etc next week so i think i'll start and get little bits washed now then its done.
Im starting maternity leave early and the end of oct but i will be using that time for getting the nursery ready and xmas shopping.

[cupcake78]

Mine has been half done for a few weeks, I am 38 weeks. Some of my things can't be packed till last minute but I have already filled one big bag just with baby stuff.

Anyone else found there hospital bag is bigger than expected.

[Alfie72]

I packed mine at 30 weeks, I must have had a premolition as I had early contractions at 32 weeks and had to go to hopsital. Best to be prepared I reckon !!

[kekouan]

Sorry for hijacking, I'm getting mine together now (30 weeks) but..

What should you have in it?

Essentials please? Any tips?

[MrsBadger]

trying to think what I took that actually got used...

labour bag:
sponge bag & contents
dark coloured towel
nighties
big pants
lucozade sport

post-labour bag:
flipflops or slippers
nappies and wipes
vests and babygrows
more big pants
jumbo sanitary towels
clothes to go home in
book

[Alfie72]

Snacks and drinks !!! I didn't get fed properly until the next day.

Maybe some glucose tablets - in case you really can't face eating or are feeling a bit wobbly.

I am taking my special pillow too, they always have limited no.s of pillows.

I packed a little bag for the LO too, they'll need a going home outfit too nappies, hats, 3x babygros and vests, blanket.

[fifisworld]

Ive got my list done just need to get some of the bits for it, my list so far is:

For Baby -
Vests
Babygrows
Bibs
Nappies
Wipes
Scratch mitts
Blanket
Going home outfit

For Me -
Big Knickers
Towel
Nightie/pj's
Jogging pants and top for the ward
Pads
Toiletries
Slippers

Im sure i'll keep adding to this though,dont need labour bag as having cs

[MrsBadger]

skip the special baby 'going home outfit'
dd is 3wks and has still only ever worn vests and sleepsuits

[Alfie72]

I meant a coat/ cardie/ hat for outside !!

[MrsBadger]

bibs also waste of time ime
not like they're dropping carrot down their clothes yet
just a muslin for wiping milky dribble

[MrsBadger]

ah, I used blanket

[fifisworld]

Thats what i was going to take bibs for. I didnt have muslin with ds and just had bibs and he was really sickly for the first few days so its just something for that really.
I might not bother with a outfit for going home actually.
Ive got a snowsuit for ds2 as he's due in dec so could put that on with a sleepsuit and hat etc when we come out.

[Sarahjct]

What size bags are you all planning. I'm known for packing on the heavy side and I can see me wheeling in two blummin great suitcases! Do the hospital care what size bag you bring?

[fifisworld]

I dont think they are bothered on the size that you take in, but the wards arent that big and i found that there wasnt much room round the bed.
I was planning on taking a holdall or something in again

[leesmum]

Dont forget a mascara/lippy/hairbrush you want to look half decent for the photos!!
Camera
List of phone no's
Change for phone and vending machines(for chocolate!)

[mummypud]

take belly warmer pants , i ended up having an emergency c section and these were very handy indeed , also little cartons of oj for sipping were good

[kerioke]

i packed two bags, one for labour, one for an overnight stay and for baby things and i had a third (which i left at home) incase i stayed in longer, when i ended up having an emergency section my partner just grabbed this extra bag with no hassle.

i did the same with baby number 2 and although this extra bag wasnt needed it came in really useful during the first few days when i didnt know my arse from my elbow!

i also found disposable knickers really handy as i could just remove them and throw them rather than losing decent knickers or having to take them home to wash.,. not nice!

i would also advise packing a clean t shirt for your birth partner as with my two previous labours daddy needed a spare for one reason or another!

as for WHEN should you have your bag packed.. well i say its best to be prepared... here i am 27 weeks and all packed, though how many times i will repack, fold and wash is anybodys guess, but after getting caught short previously i am taking no risks this time!

[MrsMar]

I'm 39 weeks on wednesday and I still don't have one properly packed! oop!!! Mind you I am booked in for cs on thursday so I'm going to do it tomorrow... honest... I promise

[Eaglebird]

I'm 34 weeks & started packing mine last night. I was about to pack a bathrobe but all the ones I own are white, which isn't really a practical colour after just having a baby. Can anyone suggest anywhere I can buy a lightweight dressing gown in a dark colour such as black or navy blue? Preferably one which comes down to knee level (i.e. not a bum-skimmer baby-doll type).

Also, I'm not sure how many maternity pads to take. I've packed 2 packs of Boots 10 maternity pads, and also 2 packs of Always Ultra night pads. Not sure how heavy the bleeding will be afterwards, so I guess I want to be prepared

[MrsBadger]

I didn't need a dressing gown at all - the ward was roasting so I just pottered about in my nightie.
sounds like plenty of pads - you can always send dh out for more